While
Mashobra village has little to offer, there are several beautiful spots around. The exquisite glade of Sipur is 2 km below where every summer the ‘Sipi’ Fair is held. On one edge of the plateau is a beautiful wood and grey slate temple. A somewhat tougher trek can be taken by carrying on to Shali Peak which, at 9,843 ft, is the highest in the area. The summit holds the ancient Bhimakali Temple.

This was the seat of the eponymous princely state. The remains of its old
palace may still be seen. Dhami was where one of the first uprisings took
place in the hills during the freedom movement. Its thick woods were the
hunting grounds of the British viceroys.

Naldehra (30 km)

Naldehra has a thick cedar forest, picnic grounds and a nine-hole par-68 golf
course considered by the golfing cognoscenti to be one of India’s most
challenging. It was designed by Lord Curzon who was so enchanted by the
spot that he gave his daughter Alexandra ‘Naldera’ as her second name
(she was conceived here).

Chail was the ‘summer capital’ of the former state of Patiala. It came into
being in the late 19th century, when its maharaja, Bhupinder Singh, was banished
from Shimla for a dalliance with the British commander-in-chief’s daughter. Smarting at this insult, he decided to find a hill in sight of Shimla — but higher. Within a short time, he had a splendid mansion built.

A photo of Chail (by Lutz Fischer-Lamprecht)

This is now The Palace Hotel
Tel: 01792-248141-43;
Tariff: INR 2,200-17,000.

Chail’s famous ground — at 8,018 ft, perhaps the highest cricket pitch and
polo ground in the world — was built in 1893 after levelling a hilltop.

There are numerous things to see and experience in Shimla, provided you have the right information. With a host of exciting things to do in Shimla, travelers can thoroughly enjoy the experience of exploring this destination. If you are travelling for the first time, the Shimla travel guide may help resolve most of your queries about Shimla. In fact, it is like a veritable information packed handbook on Shimla tourism. All you need is a list of options on topics such as where to stay, what to eat, weather in Shimla and places to visit in Shimla and you can be guaranteed an awesome trip to Shimla.